Do I need to disclose on the DS-160 if I lived in another country?

Yes. The DS-160 (nonimmigrant visa application form) includes questions about your personal background and, as a general rule, asks you to provide addresses and countries where you have lived. If you have resided in another country, the correct approach is to disclose that information as each section requests.

Filling in these details honestly serves two purposes: it demonstrates transparency and keeps the form consistent with the rest of your documentation and your personal history. Omitting or entering incorrect information can raise questions about your case and lead to complications further down the line.

A few points to keep in mind when completing the form:

• read each section’s instructions carefully before answering;
• provide the periods and locations as requested, without leaving required fields blank;
• keep your answers consistent with your passports, prior visas, and other supporting documents.

If your background is more complex or you are unsure how to characterize a particular situation, it is worth consulting the official instructions from the U.S. Department of State or a trusted immigration professional before submitting the DS-160.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.